Tributes paid to Worksop gran who died with covid

Ann Newton, 82, passed away “peacefully” at Bassetlaw Hospital on January 20 - five days after being rushed in for emergency treatment.

Devoted grandson Nicholas Willis told how “second mum” Ann died with his mother and uncle by her side with music from The Archers playing.

The mother-of-two had been due to receive the vaccine along with other residents and staff at Ashley Care Centre on January 13 - however she tested positive with the virus two days before.

Devastated Nicholas, 28, told how he felt Ann - who had survived dementia for 11 years - had been “cheated” at the last moment by the vaccine delay.

However Amit Patil, manager at Ashley Care Centre, said staff at Larwood Health Partnership - who have responsibility for the home - had been “doing all they could to get the vaccine to residents”.

Nicholas told how Ann suffered a heart attack, a stroke, pneumonia and a brain bleed as a result of Covid - which he described as a “horrible” disease.

He said: “We knew she didn’t have a huge amount of time left with her dementia but we never saw her passing like this.

“It was all stacked against her and there was no way she was going to pull through all that.

“Covid’s a horrible disease and I think a lot of people underestimate the effect it has on individuals and on society.”

At the weekend news emerged that Bassetlaw MP Brendan Clarke-Smith had been given the vaccine while volunteering at Retford Hospital after receiving a leftover vial.

Admin worker Nicholas said: “I don’t have a problem at all with him getting the vaccine but knowing there are spare vaccines makes me a bit cross.

“The way this virus has been handled - especially now 100,000 people have died - feels like a national scandal.”

Speaking about grandmother Ann - who was the first person to hold him as a baby - Nicholas said: “I will miss her greatly - she was my second mum and raised me with my mother.”

He described Ann as “very kind and generous”, saying: “She was just a wonderful person - so full of life.

“She travelled all over the world - to China, America, the Carribean and all over Europe.

“Gran had a great zest for life and was very inquisitive.”

Ann spent most of her working life in retail and the last 20 years before retirement at Clinton Cards.

Last week, speaking about the Covid outbreak at the home, Amit Patil, manager at Ashley Care Centre, said: “We had of course like others hoped to receive the vaccine as early as possible for our residents – we felt we were at the final hurdle when this outbreak occurred.

"It’s therefore incredibly saddening for everyone involved that we have finally fallen to the effects of this terrible virus.”

Dr Steve Kell, a GP at Larwood, said: “Unfortunately we are unable to vaccinate those who had Covid at the time but we will be making sure they receive a vaccine as soon as possible.”

In these confusing and worrying times, local journalism is more vital than ever. Thanks to everyone who helps us ask the questions that matter by taking out a subscription or buying a paper. We stand together. Nancy Fielder, editor.